Pump for dispensing flowable material

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a dispensing device which can be used to dispense a metered volume of a flowable material such as a liquid, gel or paste product from a reservoir. The invention provides a pump for dispensing a flowable material from a container, the pump including a pump body which is deformable between a rest configuration and a squeezed configuration, the internal capacity of the pump body being substantially reduced in the squeezed configuration compared to the rest configuration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to dispensing apparatus for dispensing aflowable material from a reservoir. More particularly, the inventionrelates to a dispensing device which can be used to dispense a meteredvolume of a flowable material such as a liquid, gel or paste productfrom a reservoir.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of pumps for dispensing a flowable material from a reservoirare currently known. One common type is a positive displacement pumpwhich generally comprises a spout mounted atop a hollow plunger assemblywhich extends downwardly into a complementary cylinder. In order todispense a volume of material the user places one hand under the spoutand depresses the plunger with the other hand. By means of variousvalves, depressing the plunger causes the flowable material to bedispensed from the spout. The plunger is spring loaded so that itreturns to its original position upon release, whilst refilling thecylinder in readiness for the next plunger depression. A disadvantagewith this type of pump is the limited amount of material which may bedispensed with a single depression of the plunger. Whilst this problemmay be overcome by increasing the size of the assembly, the plunger andits associated hardware must be rigid enough to resist the forces actingupon them, which in turn increases production costs. Similarly, thecontainer itself must be rigid, as must the connection between the pumpand the container, which can lead to the assembly being relativelyexpensive.

Another type of dispensing pump is mounted at the bottom of thereservoir, thereby doing away with much of the internal piping. However,the mountings and the container itself must still be rigid, which againleads to additional cost.

The relatively expensive nature of such prior art pumping systems hasmeant that they are generally not incorporated into disposable items.This is acknowledged by the widespread availability of “refills” formost commercially available dispensers.

Unfortunately, particularly in environments where hygiene is essentialsuch as surgeries and the like, the build-up of dirt and bacteria aroundthose components of the pump which come into contact with thesurrounding environment and human hands can prove problematic. Whilstthese non-disposable components may periodically be cleaned andsanitised, this is a time consuming job which is often not undertaken ona sufficiently regular or thorough basis.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate atleast one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a usefulalternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention provides a pump for dispensing a flowablematerial from a container, said pump including:

a pump body deformable between a rest configuration and a squeezedconfiguration, the internal capacity of the pump body beingsubstantially reduced in the squeezed configuration compared to the restconfiguration;

a unidirectional valve to allow ingress of said flowable material intosaid pump body from said container;

an outlet to allow egress of said flowable material from said pump body;

such that squeezing of said pump body pumps said flowable material fromsaid container.

Preferably, the pump body is integrally formed from a resilientmaterial. In a preferred embodiment, the pump body is moulded from asilicon or rubber-like material.

Preferably the pump can be adapted to be attached to a flexible bag or arigid container (bottle, box or folded board).

Preferably the unidirectional valve is a flap valve.

Preferably the pump body is formed as a flexible one piece outer shroud.

In one preferred embodiment the pump body includes a nozzle sectionwhich is formed as a flexible conical “funnel” which engages on asealing member located inside the pump body to seal the outlet of thepump body.

In a preferred embodiment, the pump includes a sealing member locatedinside the pump body which acts to seal the outlet of the pump body.Preferably the sealing member is located on the longitudinal axis of thepump body and is slidably mounted for translational movement.

It is further preferable that the pump includes an internal frame memberwhich includes a boss through which the sealing member extends.

Preferably the pump also includes a flap valve mounted on the internalframe member which is configured to prevent the ingress of air into thepump body upon the completion of a pumping action.

In a further preferred embodiment the pump body is formed with a bellowssection which is symmetrical about the vertical plane, but is shaped ina way to provide an asymmetrical aspect when viewed from the front andthe rear. The head can be activated from either side or from both sides,therefore increasing its efficiency (creating a higher dosage pump on asmaller “footprint”).

The asymmetry does this as the head is activated the tension and lengthof the surface skin “subtly” unloads the nozzle tips. This allows thematerial to dispense more easily. The pressure inside the chamber sealsthe upper end of the void (conventional flap valves), and forces theexpansion of the head in the nozzle area. As the limit of the stroke isreached the pressure equalises and the nozzle seals itself again. Thiscauses the chamber to open again and draw material back in the fill thevoid preparing the pump for the next stroke.

The cross-section of the part can be either elliptical or circular, andits ease of manufacture means it can be put up to a variety ofconfigurations. The efficacy of the valve means that a diverse range ofmaterials can be applied from orange juice, paints, gels, antisepticliquids etc.

The present invention provides advantages in terms of cost efficiency,ability to eliminate contamination and cross-infection, and the controlof inventory of materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A number of preferred embodiments of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional elevation view of a first preferredembodiment of the dispenser;

FIG. 2 depicts a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line A—A ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective cross-sectional view of a second preferredembodiment of the dispenser;

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional elevation view of a third preferredembodiment of the dispenser;

FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged view of the outlet section of the dispenserdepicted in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional elevation view of a fourth preferredembodiment of the dispenser;

FIG. 7 depicts an enlarged cross-sectional view of the inlet section ofthe dispenser depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 depicts an enlarged cross-sectional view of the outlet section ofthe dispenser depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 depicts the sealing member of the dispenser assembly depicted inFIG. 6; and

FIG. 10 depicts an internal support frame component of the dispenserassembly depicted in FIG. 6.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, a preferredembodiment of the dispensing device according to the present inventionis depicted. The pump 1 includes a pump body 2 formed by a flexiblewalled member 3. The pump includes an outlet 4 from which flowablematerial is dispensed and an inlet 5 which is controlled by aunidirectional valve 6. The material to be dispensed flows through theinlet 5 via the valve 6 from a reservoir (not shown) positioned inregion 7.

When closed, the flap valve 6 seals the orifice 5 to prevent the reverseflow of material from the pump chamber 8 back into the reservoir 7. InFIG. 1, the pump is depicted with a removable cap or cover 9 fitted overthe outlet and walls of the pump body.

The pump body 2 includes a nozzle section 10 which is formed as aflexible funnel with a relatively low ramp angle and terminating withthe outlet 4. The pump further includes a relatively rigid internalmember 15 which lies on the longitudinal axis of the pump. The internalmember 15 is provided with a rounded nose 11 which seats against theinternal wall of the nozzle section 10 so as to provide sealing of theoutlet 4. The upper end of the nozzle section 10 is provided with aridge 16 which seats against a shoulder 17 on the internal member 15. Inuse, the nozzle section deforms outwardly under the internal pressure soas to dispense an amount of flowable material, the volume of which ispreferably controllable by the operator. The shoulder 17 on the internalmember 15 provides a pivot point for the outward movement of the nozzlesection when deformed under pressure. To further assist in this action,the upper end of the nozzle 10 may be provided with a small annular cutout in the region of the ridge 16 so as to allow the nozzle 10 to hingeopen in the manner described. The internal member 15 may be providedwith one or more channels or ports (not shown) in the region of theshoulder 17 so as to allow fluid communication between the pump chamber8 and the outlet 4 when the nozzle section 10 is deformed.

The pump body 2 is formed with a bellows section 12 which is symmetricalabout the vertical plane, but is shaped in a way to provide anasymmetrical aspect when viewed from the front and the rear. The headcan be activated from either side or from both sides, thereforeincreasing its efficiency (creating a higher dosage pump on a smaller“footprint”).

The asymmetry does this as the head is activated the tension and lengthof the surface skin “subtly” unloads the nozzle tips. This allows thematerial to dispense more easily. The pressure inside the chamber sealsthe upper end of the void (conventional flap valves), and forces theexpansion of the head in the nozzle area. As the limit of the stroke isreached the pressure equalises and the nozzle seals itself again. Thiscauses the chamber to open again and draw material back in the fill thevoid preparing the pump for the next stroke.

The cross-section of the part can be either elliptical or circular, andits ease of manufacture means it can be put up to a variety ofconfigurations. The efficacy of the valve means that a diverse range ofmaterials can be applied from orange juice, paints, gels, antisepticliquids etc.

The pump body 2 is deformable between a rest configuration as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 and a squeezed configuration, the internal capacity of thepump body being substantially reduced in the later configuration. In apreferred embodiment, the walls of the pump body are formed by mouldinga resilient material such as silicone or a similar rubber-like materialalthough other materials and production methods may be used.

The pump may be integrally formed with or at least permanently attachedto the container thereby reducing the need for means to releasably andsealingly attach the pump to the container.

In use, the pump is used to dispense a flowable material from the insideof the attached container (not shown) the walls are manually squeezedtowards each other as shown by arrows B—B in FIG. 2, which increases thepressure within the pump body. This in turn causes the lips of thenozzle section to move apart from the fixed nose section, and for theflowable material from within the pump body to be expelled through theexit orifice 4.

When the walls are released the resilient nature of the walls forcesthem apart which in turn reduces the pressure within the pump body suchthat the flap valve 6 opens. Flowable material from within the containeris then sucked into the pump chamber 8 ready for the next pumpingaction.

Referring to FIG. 3, a further preferred embodiment of the dispenser isdepicted. In this embodiment the pump 1 includes a pump body 2 formedfrom a flexible walled member. The pump body 2 is formed by moulding aresilient material, such as silicone or a similar rubber-like material,although other materials and production methods may be used. The pumpbody 2 is deformable between a rest configuration as shown in FIG. 3 anda squeezed configuration, the internal capacity of the pump body beingsubstantially reduced in the latter configuration. In the preferredembodiment depicted, the pump body 2 defines a pump chamber 20comprising an upper cylindrical section 21 and a lower, conical section22. A cap 23 is fitted to the open end of the upper cylindrical section21 so as to close the upper end of the pump chamber. An inlet 5 islocated in the cap 23, the inlet being controlled by a unidirectionalflap valve 6. The lower conical section 22 includes an outlet 4 fromwhich flowable material is dispensed from the pump chamber. In use, thedispenser is attached to a reservoir (not shown), such as a bag, offlowable material. The material to be dispensed flows through the inlet5 via the flap valve 6 from the reservoir.

In this embodiment, the pump includes an internal sealing member 30which acts to control the dispensing of material from the pump chamber20 via the outlet 4. The internal sealing member 30 is preferablymoulded from a flexible, resilient material such as nylon, polypropyleneor the like. The sealing member 30 is centrally located on thelongitudinal axis of the pump chamber. One end 31 of the sealing memberis provided with a rounded nose 32 which seats against the taperedinternal wall 33 of the conical section of the outlet so as to providesealing of the outlet. The opposing end 34 of the member is providedwith a locating stem 35 which is slidably received within a matingrecess 36 in the cap of the pump to provide for the location andguidance of the sealing member within the pump chamber. The stem 35 iscapable of sliding movement within the recess 36 so as to allow thesealing member 30 a degree of translational movement along thelongitudinal axis as indicated by the arrows 37.

The sealing member 30 further includes a plurality of arms 40 whichextend outwardly and downwardly from the upper body 38 of the member 30,the arms 40 being pivotally attached to the body 38. The free ends 41 ofthe arms 40 seat against the inner walls of the pump body, and moreparticularly seat against the inner wall of the pump body at thejunction 39 between the upper cylindrical section and the lower conicalsection of the pump chamber. The resilient nature of the material fromwhich the sealing member 30 is made means that if a dispensing force isapplied by a user so as to cause the arms to move inwardly by means ofrotation, an opposing restoring force will cause the arms to return totheir rest position shown in FIG. 3 upon removal of the dispensing forceby the user.

The sealing member 30 further includes a biasing means which acts tobias the sealing member into a position whereby the nose 32 is insealing engagement with the outlet of the pump body. In the preferredembodiment depicted, the biasing means comprises a pair of opposingfingers 42 which extend from the member and seat against an innersurface of the cap 23. As the member is caused to move towards the capthe flexure of the fingers provides a biasing resistance in the opposingdirection such that upon removal of the force by the user the member iscaused to move in the opposing direction thereby returning the nose 32into a sealing position against the inner walls 33 of the outlet 4.

In use, to dispense flowable material the user applies a squeezing forceto the pump body in the vicinity of the ends of the opposing arms 40 inthe direction indicated by arrows A. The wall of the pump body isdeformed inwardly and the arms 40 are caused to pivot inwardly towardsthe body of the member 30. This causes the member 30 to move indirection B, thereby moving the nose section 32 away from sealingcontact with the internal wall 33 of the outlet. In moving upwardly theresilient fingers 42 are caused to be deformed downwardly therebycreating an opposing biasing force. The reduction in the internal volumeof the pump chamber 20 causes an increase in the pressure within thepump body thereby causing flowable material to be dispensed from theoutlet 4.

When the squeezing force on the wall of the pump body is released theresilient nature of the wall causes it to return to its rest position.The resilient arms 40 spring outwardly upon the release of the squeezingforce and the fingers 42 located on the upper end of the sealing member30 act to return the sealing member to a sealing position shown in FIG.3.

Whilst the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 features two opposing arms 40,it is to be appreciated that the internal member may be provided with agreater number of arms. In a further alternative embodiment, theopposing arms may be replaced with a resiliently deformable disc whichwould provide the same degree of biasing and controlled movement throughthe deformation of the disk walls upon the application of a dispensingforce by a user.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a further dispenser assembly depictingaspects of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, aflexible tip 50 is located in the conical nozzle section 10 of the pumpbody. The tip 50 is preferably made from the same flexible material asthe pump body and is preferably formed by moulding. The tip 50 has agenerally cylindrical shape and is profiled so as to seat against theinner wall of the nozzle section to provide sealing of the outlet 4. Theflexible tip is located on the end of a fixed inner member 15 aspreviously described in relation to the embodiment of FIG. 1. In theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 the flexible tip 50 replaces thenose portion 11 of the internal member 15 in FIG. 1. In use, both thewalls of the flexible tip 50 and the nozzle section 10 flex under loadduring dispensing so as to allow flowable material to pass between thetip and the inner wall of the nozzle section and thereby be dispensedthrough the outlet 4. Upon the dispensing force being removed theinternal pressure within the pump chamber is relieved and the walls ofthe flexible tip and the nozzle section of the pump body return to asealing position. It has been found that the particular arrangement inFIGS. 4 and 5 increases the volume which can be dispensed for eachdispensing action by a user. The remainder of the dispenser design issubstantially in accordance with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6 to 10 depict the features of a particularly preferred embodimentof the dispenser.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 10 the pump 101 includes a pump body 102formed from a flexible walled member. The pump body 102 is preferablyformed by moulding a suitably resilient material, such as silicone or asimilar rubber-like material, although it should be noted that othermaterials and production methods may be used. The pump body 102 isdeformable between a rest configuration as shown in FIG. 6 and asqueezed configuration, the internal capacity of the pump body beingsubstantially reduced in the latter configuration. In the preferredembodiment depicted, the pump body 102 defines a pump chamber 120comprising an upper cylindrical section 121 and a lower, conical section122. A cap 123 is fitted to the open end of the upper cylindricalsection 121 so as to close the upper end of the pump chamber. The lowerconical section 122 includes an outlet 104 from which flowable materialis dispensed from the pump chamber. The cap 123 includes an inlet 105(not shown), the inlet being controlled by a unidirectional flap valve106. As is best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the flap valve 106 takesthe form of an annulus which is mounted on the inside of the cap 123.The flap valve is formed from a suitably flexible material. The materialto be dispensed flows through the inlet 105 via the flap valve 106 froma reservoir (not shown). In use, the dispenser is attached to areservoir, such as a bag, of flowable material.

In this embodiment, the pump includes an internal sealing member 130which acts to control the dispensing of material from the pump chamber120. The internal member 130 is preferably moulded from a flexible,resilient material such as plastic, nylon, polypropylene or the like.The internal member 130 is centrally located on the longitudinal axis ofthe pump chamber. One end 131 of the internal member is provided with arounded nose 132 which seats against the internal wall 133 of theconical section of the outlet so as to provide sealing of the outlet.The opposing end 134 of the member is provided with a locating stem 135which is received within a mating recess 136 in the cap of the pumpassembly so as to locate and guide the internal member within the pumpchamber. The stem 135 is capable of sliding movement within the recess136 so as to allow the member 130 a degree of translational movementalong the longitudinal axis as indicated by the arrows 137.

The sealing member 130 further includes a plurality of arms 140 whichextend outwardly and downwardly from the main body 138 of the member130, the arms 140 being joined to the body and capable of pivotingtowards and away from the main body 138. The free ends 141 of the arms140 seat against the inner walls of the pump body, and more particularlyseat against the inner wall of the pump body at the junction 139 betweenthe upper cylindrical section and the lower conical section of the pumpchamber. The resilient nature of the material from which the member 130is made means that if a dispensing force is applied by a user so as tocause the arms to flex inwardly towards the main body of the member, anopposing force will cause the arms to return to their rest position uponremoval of the dispensing force by the user.

The sealing member 130 also carries a biasing element which acts to biasthe sealing member to a position whereby the nose 132 seats against thetapered internal wall 133 of the outlet 104 so as to seal the outlet. Inthe preferred embodiment depicted, the biasing element comprises a pairof opposing fingers 142 which are integrally formed with the body of themember 130. The fingers extend upwardly from the member and seat againstan inner surface of the cap 123. More particularly, the biasing elementcomprises a pair of opposing fingers 142 configured to form leaf springswhich seat against the inner surface of the cap 123. As is bestillustrated in FIG. 9 the free ends of the fingers 142 are provided withlocating lugs 145 which engage in complementary slots in the innersurface of the cap 123. As the member is caused to move towards the capthe flexure of the fingers provides a biasing resistance in the opposingdirection such that upon removal of the force by the user the member iscaused to move in the opposing direction thereby returning the nose 132into a sealing position against the tapered inner walls 133 of theoutlet 104 so as to seal the outlet.

It is to be noted that instead of the biasing element being integrallyformed on the sealing member 130, the biasing element may be a separatecomponent. For example, biasing of the sealing member may be provided bymeans of a separate coil or leaf spring located within the pump body andpositioned so as to apply a biasing force to the sealing member toreturn the member to a sealing position. However, it should also benoted that such alternatives may have limitations in terms of addedcomplexity of manufacture and assembly of the pump.

As is best depicted in FIGS. 6 and 10, the pump assembly furtherincludes a internal frame component 150 which acts as a guide for thetranslational movement of the sealing member 130. The frame includes anannular section 151 from which extends two or more arms 152. The armsconnect to a cylindrical boss 153 which includes a centrally locatedaperture 154 through which the sealing member 130 passes. The aperture154 is sized and shaped so as to allow sliding movement of the sealingmember and provide guidance for the movement of the member 130. Thecylindrical boss 153 seats in a complementary recess 124 located in thelower section of the chamber 122. The boss includes an upper wall 155which includes a plurality of apertures 156 through which the flowablematerial passes in moving from the pump chamber to the outlet 104.

Centrally located around the aperture 154 is an annular boss 157 uponwhich is mounted an internal valve 160 which is configured to allowliquid material to flow past the valve but to act to prevent air fromentering into the pump chamber. As is best illustrated in FIG. 8, thevalve includes a annular body 161 from which extends a flexible walledskirt 162. The flexible walled skirt forms a conical flap valve, thelower edge of the flap valve seating against the internal wall 158 ofthe boss so as to act as a one-way valve and prevent the ingress of airinto the pump chamber when the outward flow of material through theoutlet 104 has been completed.

In use, to dispense flowable material the user applies a squeezing forceto the pump body in the vicinity of the ends of the opposing arms 140 inthe direction indicated by arrows A. The wall of the pump body isdeformed inwardly and the arms 140 are caused to pivot inwardly towardsthe body of the member 130. This causes the member 130 to move indirection B, thereby moving the nose section 132 away from sealingcontact with the internal wall 133 of the outlet. In moving upwardly theresilient fingers 142 are caused to be deformed downwardly therebycreating an opposing biasing force. The reduction in the internal volumeof the pump chamber 120 causes an increase in the pressure within thepump body thereby leading to the flowable material being dispensed fromthe outlet 104.

When the wall of the pump body is released the resilient nature of thewall causes it to return to its rest position. The fingers 142 locatedon the upper end of the sealing member 130 act to return the sealingmember to a sealing position shown in FIG. 6.

As with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, whilst the sealing member 130depicted in FIGS. 6 to 10 features two opposing arms 140, it is to beappreciated that the sealing member may be provided with a greaternumber of arms. In a further alternative embodiment, the opposing armsmay be replaced with a resiliently deformable disc which would providethe same degree of biasing and controlled movement through thedeformation of the disk walls upon the application of a dispensing forceby a user.

Advantageously the present invention provides a dispenser which iseconomic to manufacture and which provides consistent volumetric outputfor each activation of the pump. Additionally, higher than normaldosages are achievable.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificexamples it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theinvention may be embodied in many other forms.

1. A pump for dispensing a flowable material from a container, said pumpincluding: a flexible walled pump body moulded from a resilient materialand deformable between a rest configuration and a squeezedconfiguration, said pump body defining a pump chamber, the internalcapacity of the pump chamber being substantially reduced in the squeezedconfiguration compared to the rest configuration; a unidirectional valveto allow ingress of said flowable material into said pump chamber fromsaid container; an outlet to allow egress of said flowable material fromsaid pump chamber; a sealing member located inside the pump chamberwhich acts to seal the outlet of the pump chamber, said sealing membermounted for translational movement between a first, sealing position anda second, non-sealing position; a biasing means which acts to bias thesealing member to said first position whereby the sealing member sealsthe outlet of the pump chamber; wherein application of a dispensingforce to said pump body causes translational movement of said sealingmember from said first position to said second position to permit saidflowable material to flow through said outlet.
 2. The pump as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said pump chamber comprises a cylindrical section and aconical section, said conical section including said outlet from whichflowable material is dispensed from the pump chamber.
 3. The pump asclaimed in claim 2, wherein one end of the sealing member seats againstan internal wall of said conical section of the pump chamber so as toprovide sealing of the outlet.
 4. The pump as claimed in claim 1,wherein the pump further includes a boss through which the sealingmember extends, said boss acting to guide the translational movement ofthe sealing member between said first and said second positions.
 5. Thepump as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pump further includes a valvemounted on said boss, said valve including a body from which extends aflexible walled skirt, said flexible walled skirt forming a flap valvewhich acts as a one way valve to prevent the ingress of air into thepump chamber when flow of said flowable material through the outlet hasbeen completed.
 6. The pump as claimed in claim 4, wherein said bossseats in a complementary recess located in the conical section of thepump chamber.
 7. The pump as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bossincludes one or more apertures through which the flowable materialpasses in moving from the pump chamber to the outlet.
 8. The pump asclaimed in claim 3, wherein said boss is carried by a frame, said frameincluding an annular member from which extends two or more arms whichconnect to said boss.
 9. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein anopposing end of the sealing member is provided with a locating stemwhich is slidably received within a mating recess in a closure over theopen end of the pump chamber to provide for the location and guidance ofthe sealing member within the pump chamber.
 10. The pump as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the sealing member includes a longitudinally extendingbody and a plurality of arms pivotally attached to the body, said armsextending outwardly and downwardly from said body with free ends of thearms seating against an inner wall of the pump chamber.
 11. The pump asclaimed in claim 10, wherein said free ends of the arms seat against aninner wall of the pump chamber at a junction between the cylindricalsection and the conical section of the pump chamber.
 12. The pump asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a pair ofopposing fingers which extend from the sealing member and seat againstan inner surface of a closure over the open end of the pump chamber,wherein as the sealing member is caused to move towards the cap theflexure of the fingers provides a biasing resistance in the opposingdirection such that upon removal of the dispensing force by the user thesealing member is caused to move in the opposing direction therebyreturning the sealing member to said first position.
 13. The pump asclaimed in claim 12, wherein said opposing fingers include locating lugswhich engage in complementary slots on the inner surface of the closure.14. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said biasing means isintegrally formed on said sealing member.
 15. The pump as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said pump body is moulded from a silicon or rubber-likematerial.
 16. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidunidirectional valve is a flap valve.
 17. The pump as claimed in claim1, wherein said sealing member is located on the longitudinal axis ofthe pump chamber.
 18. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesealing member is moulded from a flexible, resilient material.